rejoice in hope

all too often, we hear about dissension and discord within the body of christ. radios, televisions, newspapers, and blogs alike tell this common story. this denomination attacks that denomination in "defense" of the the gospel. this baptist becomes convinced that other baptist has given up the faith. i suppose such concerns might be valid from time to time. but i suggest that more often than not the validity of these "defenses" is suspect at best. a concern for the church is often confused with a concern to be right. maybe instead of more defenses we need more pleas like the following:

"O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen" (book of common prayer, 818).